Guide · Getting Started
Your first launch of Toploader OS
This guide walks through exactly what happens the first time you open Toploader OS — the licence agreement, the startup sync, and choosing your workspace — so nothing catches you off guard.
Step by step
What happens on first launch
Install and open the app
Run the Windows installer or unzip the portable build, or drag the macOS app into Applications, then launch Toploader OS.
Accept the licence agreement
A one-time dialog shows the Toploader OS End User Licence Agreement. Tick the checkbox and choose Accept and Continue — you’ll only see this again after a licence-agreement update.
Let the startup sync finish
A splash screen runs through exchange rates, the Scryfall card database, seller market prices and the Pokémon database, with a status message for each step. This can take a little while on first launch as the full Scryfall database downloads — after that, it’s a quick update check on every subsequent launch.
Choose your workspace
Pick Seller Mode, MTG Collector or Pokémon Collector from the mode-select screen. You’re not locked in — switch between them any time from the sidebar.
Set your region and currency
Toploader OS defaults to UK/GBP. If you’re selling or pricing in USD, switch the Region / Currency setting to US from Settings.
Start adding stock or cards
You don’t need to wait for every background sync to finish — Inventory and Collector pages are usable immediately, and prices simply fill in as syncing completes.
Where to go next
Chose Seller Mode? Start with the Inventory guide, then Pricing Tools and Show Builder.
Chose MTG or Pokémon Collector? Head to the Collector Mode guide for that game.
Considering Pro or Collector? The Settings & Licensing guide covers activation.
Common questions
Do I need an internet connection to use the app day to day?
No. Toploader OS is offline-first — you only need a connection for card lookups, price updates, image downloads and licence checks.
Can I switch modes later without losing data?
Yes. Seller inventory and each game’s Collector data are stored separately, so switching between them doesn’t affect the others.
I saw a Windows or macOS security warning — is that normal?
Yes. Toploader OS isn’t signed with a paid code-signing certificate, so SmartScreen or Gatekeeper may warn about an unidentified developer the first time you open it. See the Download page for how to proceed.
More guides
Keep exploring Toploader OS
Download Toploader OS, or browse every guide from the index.